Engine starting apparatus



;' Dec. 11, 1934 R. BERTS CHE, JR

ENGINE STARTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 9 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l a. H m M yW W M, TM a A a w a w. 1 v 3 M M .l 4 7 an M 2 M M \10 W0. a. W t

I 11, l 934. m R BERTSCHE JR 1,983,787

ENGINE STARTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 9, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PatentedDec. 11, 1934 1,983,787 I ENGINE STARTING APPARATUS Ralph Bertsche, Jr.,Anderson, Ind., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to General Motors Corporation, Detroit; Mich,

ware Y a corporation of Dela- Application November 9, 1931, Serial No.573,950

16 Claims.

This invention relates to starting apparatus for internal combustionengines and more particularly for the engines of automotive vehicles.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved enginestarting system for facilitating the starting of the engine in case of astall, that is, when the engine stops with the ignition turned on. Inengine starting systems of this type, it has been the practiceheretofore to provide automatic means responsive to the closing of theignition switch for connecting the starting motor with a current sourcesuch as a storage battery. When the engine becomes selfoperative thisautomatic means is automatically rendered inoperative by some deviceresponsive to the self-operation of the engine, for example, a deviceoperated by engine suction or an electromagnetic device responsive tothe voltage of a generator driven by the engine. One difliculty whichhas been encountered with such devices is that at relatively low drivingspeeds the starting device may be rendered operative again although theengine is still running very slowly. It is particularly an object of thepresent invention to remedy this difficulty. Accordingly, the

present invention provides that after the starting device has beenrendered inoperative in response to the self-operation of the engine,the starting device cannot be rendered operative automatically eventhough the engine has indeed stopped. The only way that the startingdevice can be caused to operate again is by turning off the ignition andthen turning it on again. In other words, the starting system instead ofbeing fully automatic to start the engine in case of a stall, requiresthat the operator consciously performs the act of turning oil theignition and then turning it on again.

The fact that the operator isrequired to turn of! the ignition beforeturning it on again in case of a stall is not without advantages.- Oneof the advantages is that the operator forms the habit of turning offthe ignition whenever the engine stops and thus will be more likely toturn off the ignition in case of complete failure to start the engine.Obviously, if there be any disadvantage it is the fact that the operatormust manipulate the ignition switch in order to obtain the restart,

such disadvantage is completely offset by the fact that under nocondition of driving can the engine starter be .brought into operationautomatically.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novelmechanical device for shifting the motor pinion into mesh with theengine flywheel gear and for causing the motor to operate to crank theengine. Heretofore when designing an engine starting systemautomatically responsive to the closing of the ignition switch, it hasbeen the practice to employ an electromagnet for shifting the motorpinion into mesh with the flywheel gear of the engine and for causingthe motor to operate. Where an electromagnet is used as a substitute forthe foot of the operator to move the pinion into mesh with the flywheelgear, such electromagnet is relatively large and expensive since it isrequired to exert a relatively strong force within a relatively shortperiod of time. Instead of employing an electromagnet for this purpose,the present invention contemplates the storing of energy in a mechanicaldevice while the engine is running so that, when engine starting isrequired, the energy stored in such device can be released to cause themotor pinion to move into mesh with the flywheel gear and the motorswitch to be closed. In the disclosed form of the invention, the suctionof the engine is used to compress a spring while the engine is running.After being compressed, the spring is held in a compressed state by alatch which is automatically released, when it is desired to start theengine;

by means operated in response to closing the ignition switch.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein a preferred form of embodiment of the presentinvention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is partly a wiring diagram and partly a diagrammatic sectionalview showing engine starting apparatus embodying the present invention.

Figs. 2 and 3 are fragments of the wiring diagram shown in Fig. l andshow certain control members in other positions.

Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram showing a modified form of the invention.

' Figs. 5 and 6 are fragments of the diagram shown in Fig. 4 and showcertain control members in other positions.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary diagram to illustrate a modification of the formof invention shown in Fig. 4.

Referring to Fig. 1, designates the engine flywheel gear with which apinion 21 is adapted to mesh. The pinion 21 slides along a shaft 22 ofthe armature 23 of a starting motor 24. The pinion 21 is driven by theshaft 22 through a one-way roller clutch 25, which comprises a clutchdriving member 26 integral with a sleeve 27 having a longitudinalsplined connection at 28 with the shaft 22, and which includes a shellor driven member 29 attached to the pinion 21. The sleeve 27 'carries acollar 30 having flanges 31 and 32 which receive a stud 33 carried by alever 34 pivoted upon a stationary rod 35 carried by a gear housing 36.A spring 37 which surrounds the sleeve 27, is located between the clutchmember 26 and the collar 30 and urges the collar toward the left againsta stop member 38, which may be in the form of a wire split ring carriedby the sleeve 27.

The lever 34 is attached by a link 40 to a block 41 connected by a rivet42 to a diaphragm 43 closing one end of a diaphragm chamber 44 andlocated within a diaphragm box 45 and a cover 46. The box 45 has athreaded nipple 47 connectible with a pipe communicating with the fuelintake pipe of an engine. The diaphragm 43 carries a washer 48 receivingone end of a spring 49 bearing at its other end-ragainst the back wallof the diaphragm box 45. -During the running of the engine, the suctionproduced in the chamber 44 is sufficient to cause the diaphragm 43 tomove into the position shown in Fig. 1 in order to fully compress thespring 49. The spring 49 is latched in compressed position by latchlever 50 pivoted at 51 upon the lever 34 and urged by a small spring 52clockwise so that the point 53 of the lever 50 enters a recess 54 in thestationary rod 35, thereby resisting movement of the lever 34counterclockwise.

This engine starter is combined with other elements of a batterycharging and engine starting and ignition system. This system comprisesa storage battery grounded at 61 and connected by wire 62 with a cut-outrelay 63 connected by wire 64 with a generator 65 grounded at 66. Wire62 is connected with wire 67 with an ignition switch 68 connecting thebattery with terminal 69, which is connected with ignition apparatus notshown. The main starting motor circuit comprises battery 60, wire 62,wire 70, switch contact 71, movable contact 72, contact 73 connectedwith the field winding 74 of the starting motor 24, which has one of itsbrushes grounded at 75.

The latch 50 is actuated by an electromagnet comprising a coilsurrounding a center core 81 and surrounded by an outer magnetic shell82. The electromagnet comprises an armature 83 guided by anonmagnetizable bearing -84 and attached to a rod 85 which passesthrough the arm 50a of the lever 50 and which has a head 86 bearingagainst the right hand surface of arm 50a, as viewed in the drawings.The circuit of the v magnet 80 comprises battery 60, wire 62, wire 70,wire 90, terminal 91, contact 92, movable contact 93, lever 94, which ispivoted at 95, and wire 96 connected with the winding 80. The lever 94is normally held against a stop 97 by a spring 98 connected with thelever at 99 and with a stationary post 100. The spring 98 is located sothat its center line of action passes to the left of the axis of pivot95, thereby urging the lever 94 in a counterclockwise direction. Thelever 94 is pivotally connected at 101 with an armature 102, whichcooperates with an electromagnet winding 103 which is grounded at 104and which is connected with wire 105 with generator 65. The magnetwinding 103 and armature 102 constitute means responsive to the voltageof the generator 65, and hence, responsive to the selfoperation of theengine, for causing the engine starting apparatus to be renderedinoperative. It is obvious that a downward pull of the magnet 103 uponthe armature 102 will cause the lever 94 to move in a counterclockwisedirection against the stop 97 in which position the lever 94 is held bythe spring 98. Obviously, when the lever 94 is in the position shown inFig. 1, the contact 93 will be separated from the contact 92, therebyrendering the magnet 80 inoperative to trip the latch 50.

The means responsive to the closing of the ignition switch 68 forcausing the engine starter to operate comprises an electromagnetincluding a winding grounded at 111 and connected by wire 112 byignition switch terminal 69. This means includes also an armature 113supporting a block 114 having a notch 115 and supported by a compressedspring 116 resting on a block 117 and urging the block 114 against thestop 118. The connections between the lever 94 and the block 114 includea leaf spring member 120 attached at 121 to the lever 94 and carrying atriangular shape block 122 which may be received by the notch 115. v

Assuming that all parts are located in normal position as shown in Fig.1, when it is desired to start the engine, the operator closes theignition switch 68, thereby causing current to flow from the battery 60to the ignition apparatus (not shown) connected to the terminal 69 andthereby causing current to flow to the winding 110. Consequently, thearmature 113 will be attracted from the position shown in Fig. 1 to thatshown in Fig. 2, thereby causing the armature head 113 to movedownwardly and to move with it the block 122 attached to the leaf springarm 120. The arm 120 will bend and transmit sufiicient force to move thelever 94 in a clockwise direction, thereby causing the contact 93 toengage the contact 92 and to be held in such position due to the factthat the spring 98 has been moved into a location in which its centerline of action lies toward the right of the axis of the pivot 95. Whenthis occurs the circuit of the latch controlling magnet 80 will beestablished through the following connections: battery 60, wire 62, wire70, wire 90, terminal 91, contact 92, contact 93, lever '94, wire 96 andmagnet 80. Then the armature 83 will be attracted toward the left tomove the latch 50 in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot 51, inorder to withdraw the latch point 53 from the notch 54 of the stationaryrod 35. When this occurs, the spring 49 will be released to move thelever 34 counterclockwise in order to move pinion 21 into mesh withflywheel gear 20. During motion of lever 34 counterclockwise the movablecontact 72 of the main motor switch will be engaged with stationarycontacts 71 and 73. As

the upper arm of lever 34 swings toward the left,

it carries with it the latch arm 50a which pushes 71, contact 72,contact 73, and motor 74. Then the motor 24 operates to crank the enginethrough the shaft 22, pinion 21 and engine gear 20. When the enginebecomes self-operative, the pinion 21 will overrun the shaft 22 due tothe oneway roller clutch 25. In case the pinion 21 abuts the teeth ofgear 20 before going into mesh, the

spring 37, which is much weaker than the spring 49, will be compressedso that spring 49 is operative to close the motor switch comprisingcontacts 71. 72 and 73, whereupon the motor shaft 22 will turn andthereby turn the pinion 21 into a position registering with tooth spacesof the gear 20, whereupon the pinion 21 will be quickly moved into meshwith the gear through the combined action of the spring 49 and thecompressed spring 37 which is released at the instant the teeth ofpinion 21 mesh with gear tooth spaces of gear 20.

When the engine operates, sufficient suction is created in the chamber44 to compress the spring 49 and to move the lever 34 clockwise intonormal position, shown in Fig. 1, thereby withdrawing the pinion 21 fromthe gear 20. In order that the spring 49 will be held in compressedposition, the latch lever 50 is released so that its spring 52 mayreturn it to latching position. The release of the latch lever iseffected automatically during the self-operation of the engine. This isaccomplished by the magnet 103 responsive to generator voltage. Magnet103 when energized during the operation of the generator will attractthe armature 102 from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that in Fig. 3,thereby causing the lever 94 to move into positions shown in Figs. 3 and1, thereby separating contacts 93 from 92 and thereby rendering themagnet inoperative to hold the armature 83 toward the left.Consequently, the latch 50 is released so that its spring 52 may returnit to the latching position shown in Fig. 1. It will be noted that whenthe lever 34 swings clockwise the spring 131 is released to move thecontact 72 out of engagement with the contacts 71 and 73, therebyinterrupting the main motor circuit.

It will be noted that the lever 94 is permitted to swing from positionshown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 3, although the armature 113 remains in thedownward position into which it was moved when the ignition switch isclosed. The movement of the lever 94 is permitted due to the fact thatthe connection between lever 94 and armature 113 includes the leafspring member 120. Obviously, while armature 113 remains down as shownin Figs. 2 and 3, and while the lever 94 swings counterclockwise fromthe position shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 3, the block 122 will strike theblock 114 and the spring 120 will bend so that finally the block 122will be moved out of the notch 115 and will clear the block 114.

In order to restart the engine it is necessary to turn off the ignitionin order to permit the reconnection of the block 114 with the lever 94.When the ignition is turned off the magnet is disconnected from thebattery and the spring 116 is released to move the armature 113 upwardlyfrom the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 1. During thisupward movement, the leaf spring is bent upwardly so that the block 122may snap into the recess of block 114.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, theelectromagnetic connection between the ignition switch and the switchwhich controls the latch lever magnet circuit has been replaced bydirect mechanical connection responsive to movement of the ignitionswitch. In Fig. 4, 140 designates the handle of an ignition switchwhich, when moved from Off to On position shown in Fig. 5, causes amovable contact 141 to engage stationary contacts 142 and 143, therebyconnecting the battery 60 with the ignition apparatus through thefollowing circuit: battery 60, wire 61, wire 62, contacts 142, 141, 143,

wire 144 and terminal 91a. The movement 01' the lever 140 to On positioncauses an arm 145 carried thereby to move into the position shown inFig. 5. During such movement of arm 145, it engages a leaf spring member12011 causing it to bend as indicated at l20aa in Fig. 5 and therebycausing the lever 94a which corresponds to lever 94 of the first form ofinvention, to move from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the positionshown in Fig. 5, thereby causing its contact 93a to engage contact 92aof terminal 91a. Normally, the spring 98a holds the contact lever 94aagainst the stop 97a due to the fact that the center line of action onspring 98a is at the right of the pivot 95a of lever 94a. The engagementof the arm 145 with the leaf spring a causes the lever 94 to movecounterclockwise, thereby moving the spring 98a into such position thatits center line of action will lie at the left of the pivot 95a as shownin Fig. 5, whereupon the spring 9811 will be operative to maintain thecontact 9311 in engagement with the contact 92a. The bending of theblade 120a in the manner indicated at 120aa of Fig. 5, causes the blade1200 to be free of the arm 145 after the lever 94a has been moved intothe position shown in Fig. 5. In this way, the lever 94a is freed of allconnection with the ignition switch handle so that during the operationof the engine the lever 94a can be returned to normal position throughthe agency of some means responsive to the self-operation of the engine.As in the first form of the invention, this last mentioned means isresponsive to generator voltage and comprises an electromagnet includingthe winding 103a connected by wire 105a with generator 65 and groundedat 104a. When this magnet 103a is energized it attracts an armature 102aalso attached to the lever 94, thereby moving the lever 94a into theposition shown in Figs. 6 and 4.

Referring again to Fig. 5, when the contacts 92d. and 93a are closed inresponse to movement of the ignition switch to On position, the circuitof the magnet 80 is established. This circuit includes battery 60, wire62. wire 67, contacts 142. 141, 143, wire 144, terminal 91a contacts 92aand 93a, lever 94a, wire 96 and magnet coil 80. The magnet coil 80 inthis form cooperates with the armature 83 for the same purpose as in theform shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, namely, to release the latch 50,whereupon the spring 49 will be released to cause the pinion to meshwith the engine gear 20 and the main motor switch comprising contacts'71, 72 and 73 to be closed. During the self-operation of the engine thegenerator voltage increases to a value sufficient to cause the winding103a to be energized to attract the magnet armature 102a from theposition shown in Fig.

5 to that shown in Fig. 6, thereby effecting the separation of contacts92a and 93a, thereby interrupting the circuit of magnet coil 80 so thatthe latch 50 will thereafter be free to return to latching position, asshown in Fig. 1. 'As in the first form of the invention, this modifiedform requires first to permit movement of the lever 94a from circuitmaking to circuit breaking position, shown in Figs. and 6 respectively;and spring 120a bends to permit the return of 'the ignition switchcontrolled part 145 to normal position.

Thus far the controls of the present invention j,

have been described in connection with an engine starter having meansother than the starting motor for shifting the pinioninto mesh with theflywheel gear. Insofar as these controls are concerned, they may beapplied also to engine starters of the Bendix type in which the starterpinion is moved into mesh with the flywheel gear automatically inresponse to the closing of the motor switch. In such a starter it isobvious that the lever 34 of Fig. 1 and all of the mechanism connectedtherewith for moving it, can be dispensed with. In such case the magnet80 and armature 83 are arranged directly to control the main motorswitch which, as shown in Fig. 7, comprises contacts 71a and 73a,bridged by a movable contact 72a directly attached to the armature 83and held normally out of contact making position by a spring 150.

In the starter control for the pedal shift type starter, the main motorswitch is not permitted to close until after the pinion has beensubstantially meshed with the engine gear, except in case of abutment ofthe motor pinion with the engine gear, the main motor switch is notpermitted to close until after the spring 37 has been compressedsuflicient to insure that the pinion will be quickly meshed with theengine gear when the motor switch is closed.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as hereindisclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood thatother forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claimswhich follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a startingdevice, an engine gear, a movable gear driven by the starting device andconnectable with the engine gear, a spring for causing the startingdevice gear to be meshed with the engine gear and the starting device tooperate, means operating in response to selfoperation of the engine forstressing said spring in order to demesh said starting device gear, alatch for holding the spring in a stressed condition, and means forreleasing the latch when engine starting is required.

2. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, an electricmotor, a current source, an engine gear, a movable gear driven by themotor and connectable with the engine gear, a spring for causing themotor gear to be meshed with the eng'ne gear and the motor to beconnected with the current'source, means operating in response toself-operation of the engine for stressing said spring in order todemesh said motor gear, a latch for holding the spring in a stressedcondition, and means for releasing the latch when engine starting isrequired.

3. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a startingdevice, an engine gear, a, movable gear driven by the starting deviceand connectable with the engine gear, a spring for causing the startingdevice gear to be meshed with the engine gear and the starting device tooperate. suction response means operated by the engine for stressingsaid spring in order to demesh said starting device gear, a latch forbolding the spring in a stressed condition, and means for releasing thelatch when engine starting is required.

4. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, an electricmotor, a current'source,

an engine gear, a movable gear driven by the motor and connectable withthe engine gear, a spring'for causing the motor gear to be meshed withthe engine gear and the motor to be connected with the current source,suction response means operated by the engine for stressing said springin -order to demesh said motor gear, a lat-ch for holding the spring ina stressed condition, and means for releasing the latch when enginestarting is required.

5. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination. a startingdevice, an engine gear, a movable gear driven by the starting device andconnectable with the-engine gear, a spring for causing the startingdevice gear to be meshed with the engine gear and the starting device tooperate, means operating in response to selfoperation of the engine forstressing said spring in order to demesh said starting device gear, a.latch for holding the spring in a stressed condition, an electromagnetfor releasing the. latch, and means for controlling the electromagnet.

'6. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in

combination, an electric motor, a current source,

an engine gear, a'mova'ble gear driven by the motor and connectable withthe engine gear, a spring for causing the motorgear to be meshed withthe engine gear and the motor to be connected with the current sourcemeans operating in response to self-operation of the engine forstressing said spring in order to demesh said motor gear, a latch forholding the spring in a stressed condition, an electromagnet forreleasing the latch, and means for controlling the electromagnet'.

'7. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a startingdevice, an engine gear, a movable gear driven by the starting device andconnectable with the engine gear, a spring for causing the startingdevice gear to, be meshed with the engine gear and the starting deviceto operate, suction response means operated by the engine for stressingsaid spring in order to demesh said starting device gear, a latch forholding the spring in a stressed condition, an electromagnet forreleasing the latch, and means for controlling the electromagnet.

8. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in

combination, an electric motor, a current source, an engine gear, amovable gear driven by the motor and connectable with the engine gear, aspring for causing the motor gear to be meshed with the engine gear andthe motor to be connected with the current source, suction responsemeans operated by the engine for stressing said spring in order todemesh said motor gear, a latch for holding the spring in a stressedcondition, an electromagnet for releasing the latch, and means forcontrolling the electromagnet.

9. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a currentsource, a starting motor, a pinion connected with the motor and movableaxially into mesh with a gear of the engine to be started, a lever forshifting the pinion, a. spring for shifting the lever, means responsiveto self operation of the engine for compressing the spring, a latch forholding the spring in a compressed condition, means for releasing thelatch, and means operated by the lever for connecting the motor with thecurrent source. V

10. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a currentsource, a starting motor, a pinion connected with the motor and movableaxially into mesh with a gear of the engine to be started, a lever forshifting the pinion, a spring for shifting the lever, means responsiveto self operation or the engine for compressing the spring, a latchcarried by the lever for holding the spring in a compressed condition,said latch engaging a recess in a stationary part, means for releasingthe latch, and means operated by the lever for connecting the motor withthe current source.

11. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a currentsource, a starting motor, a pinion connected with the motor and movableaxially into mesh with a gear of the engine to be started, a lever forshifting the pinion, a spring for shifting the lever, means responsiveto self operation of the engine for compressing the spring, a latch forholding the spring in a compressed condition, an electro-magnet forreleasing the latch, and means operated by the lever for connecting themotor with the current source.

12. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a currentsource, a starting motor, a pinion connected with the motor and movableaxially into mesh with a gear of the engine to be started, a lever forshitting the pinion, a spring for shitting the lever, means responsiveto self operation of the engine for compressing the spring, a latchcarried by the lever for holding the spring in'a compressed condition,said latch engaging a recess in a stationary part, an electromagnet forreleasing the latch, and means operated by the lever for connecting themotor with the current source.

13. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a currentsource, a starting motor, a pinion connected with the motor and movableaxially into mesh with a gear of the engine to be started, a lever forshitting the pinion, a spring for shifting the lever, means responsiveto self operation of the engine for compressing the spring, a latch forholding the spring in a com pressed condition, a rod connected with thelatch to release the same, an electromagnet (or moving the rod, a switchfor connecting the motor and cui-rent source and including a movableconptac't carried by the rod, and means operated by the lever for movingsaid contact to close said switch.

14. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a currentsource, a starting motor, a pinion connected with the, motor and movableaxially into mesh with a gear of the engine-to be started, a lever forshifting the pinion, a spring for shifting the lever, means responsiveto self operation of the engine for compressing the spring, a latchcarried by the lever for holding the spring in a compressed condition,said latch engaging a recess in a stationary part, a rod connected withthe latch to release the same, an electromagnet for moving the rod, aswitch for connecting the motor and current source and including amovable contact carried by the rod, and means operated by the lever formoving said contact to close said switch.

15. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a currentsource, a starting motor, a pinion connected with the motor and movableaxially into mesh with a gear of the engine to be started, a lever forshifting the pinion, a spring for shifting the lever, means responsiveto self operation 01' the engine for compressing the spring, a latchcarried by the lever for holding the spring in a compressed condition,said latch engaging a recess in a stationary part, a rod having a headoperatively connected with the latch to release the same, anelectromagnet for moving the rod, a sleeve slidable along the rod andhaving one end engageable with the latch, and a switch for connectingthe motor and current source and including a movable contact carried bythe sleeve.

16. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a startingmotor, a current source, a switch for connecting the motor and source,an electro-magnet for effecting the closing of said switch, a switch inthe circuit of the magnet controlling the starter switch, a spring forresilient ly holding the magnet circuit switch either in open positionor in closed position, means responsive to self operation of the enginefor opening the switch in the magnet circuit, an ignition switch, and amechanism operating in response to closing 0! the ignition switch torclosing the switch oi. the magnet circuit, said mechanism including aleaf spring arm which bends to provide for disconnection of the magnetcircuit switch from the ignition switch after the ignition switch haseffected the closing of the magnet circuit switch and which bends toprovide for reconnection of the ignition switch with the magnet circuitswitch when the ignition switch is turned ofl.

RALPH BERTSCHE, JR.

